Week 29

Outcomes

• ✓Players can strike a moving ball with the inside of the foot into a target zone.
• ✓Players can plant their non-kicking foot beside the ball for balance.
• ✓Players can finish from both the right and left foot.
• ✓Players can select the correct corner based on goalkeeper position.

Equipment

• 16 cones
• 6 bibs
• 10 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Each player with a ball, 15×15 yd grid.

   How to run it: Players perform inside-of-foot passing to themselves off a wall or the ground: soft tap, receive, soft tap. Progress to moving while tapping left-right-left with the inside of each foot alternately.

   • ›Soft touch — control before the next action.
   • ›Locked ankle on every contact.
   • ›Head up between touches.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Single file, cones in a 15 yd channel.

   How to run it: Dynamic movements: high knees, hip openers, lateral shuffles. Finish with three finishing approach runs: jog five yards, check your run left or right, sprint onto a served ball and side-foot into an open goal.

   • ›Check-run should be sharp — not a slow curve.
   • ›Eyes on ball as you arrive, then pick your corner.
   • ›Don't rush the plant foot.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Goal with keeper. Three cone targets placed in each corner of the goal (tape or small marker cones). Server stands 15 yds out and rolls balls to the side for the shooter.

   How to run it: Shooter approaches from a 45-degree angle, receives the rolled ball, and side-foots at a nominated corner — coach calls 'left low' or 'right high' as the ball is played. Shooter calls the corner before striking on the progression rep.

   • ›Approach at an angle — not straight at the goal.
   • ›Open your hips toward the target corner.
   • ›Strike through the centre of the ball, not underneath it.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: Shooting relay: two teams of four. Cones at 12, 10, and 8 yards from goal. Keeper in goal. Each player shoots from all three distances — side-foot only.

   How to run it: Teams compete for total points: 1 point per goal, bonus 1 point if the ball hits the corner cone. Each player takes one shot per cone per round. Two rounds total.

   • ›Increase accuracy as you get closer — don't blast.
   • ›Vary your approach angle each attempt.
   • ›Keeper: make yourself big, don't guess.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 including keepers, 35×25 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Standard match with one rule: goals scored with the inside of the foot from inside the 10-yard box count double. Goals from outside count as one regardless of technique. Coach announces the score and technique out loud.

   • ›Get into the box before shooting when possible.
   • ›Set up team-mates for inside-box chances.
   • ›Keeper: communicate early about when to come out.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Group seated near goal.

   How to run it: Static calf and hip stretches while coach asks: 'Where did you aim when the keeper was in the middle? What about when they were to one side?' Two players answer.

   • ›Aim for the far post when the keeper is central.
   • ›Placement beats power every time at this range.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can set their body to receive and finish in one movement.
• ✓Players can side-foot finish from a cut-back played across the box.
• ✓Players can select the correct foot based on which side the ball arrives from.
• ✓Players can perform two finishing runs in the same phase of play.

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 8 bibs
• 8 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Pairs in a 15×15 yd grid, one ball per pair.

   How to run it: Players pass back and forth using inside of foot only, starting at 5 yards, stepping back to 8, then 12. Focus on a clean locked-ankle strike and accurate return.

   • ›Step into the pass — don't stand still.
   • ›Soft surface contact on the receive, firm on the pass.
   • ›Communicate: call your partner's name before passing.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Two lines facing each other, 15 yards apart, one ball between two.

   How to run it: Pass and follow your pass to the end of the opposite line. After three rounds, receiver takes one touch to control then finishes with a side-foot into a goal placed centrally.

   • ›Pass with pace — give the finisher something to work with.
   • ›Finisher: check your run before receiving.
   • ›Plant foot in line with the ball, not behind it.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Full goal with keeper. Wide server at each side of the 18-yard box. Two finishers start centrally. Server plays a cut-back from the byline across the six-yard box.

   How to run it: Finishers make overlapping runs into the box — near-post and far-post. Server plays to either; both finishers must read the ball and only the right one finishes. Rotate server and finishers every four reps.

   • ›Read the pace of the cut-back and adjust your run.
   • ›Near-post runner: attack the ball aggressively.
   • ›Far-post runner: hold and peel — arrive late onto the ball.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 3v2 (+keeper) in a 20×18 yd attack zone. Three attackers must complete a cut-back before finishing — no direct shots allowed.

   How to run it: Attackers earn a point only after a cut-back is delivered and converted with the inside of the foot. Defenders earn a point for every turnover. Rotate defenders every three minutes.

   • ›Wide player: beat your defender, get to the byline, then look for runners.
   • ›Finishers: time your run to arrive as the cut-back is played.
   • ›Don't arrive too early — you'll be offside or in the keeper's hands.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 6v6 including keepers, 40×30 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Free match. Coach uses a 'cut-back goal' token: if a goal is scored from a cut-back the scoring team earns an extra restart possession from halfway. Tokens accumulate — announce them live.

   • ›Wide players: your first thought when you beat a defender should be the byline.
   • ›Central players: make your run as the wide player drives.
   • ›Keeper: don't get caught out by near-post cut-backs.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle stretch.

   How to run it: Glute stretch, ankle rolls, and gentle torso rotation. Ask: 'If the ball is cut back from the right, which foot do most of you prefer to finish with?' Discuss briefly.

   • ›Know your stronger foot but practice both.
   • ›Opening your body toward goal is as important as the foot you use.